OREANDA-NEWS. September 15, 2016. Nevada Gold & Casinos, Inc. (NYSE MKT:UWN) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended July 31, 2016.

For the first quarter of fiscal 2017, the company reported net revenues of \\$18.3 million compared to \\$15.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. Operating expenses were \\$18.2 million compared to \\$15.2 million in the prior year period.  Operating income was \\$0.1 million compared to \\$0.8 million and net loss was \\$0.1 million, or \\$0.01 loss per share, compared to net income of \\$0.5 million, or \\$0.03 per share, in the prior year period.

Net revenues from the Washington state gaming operations decreased to \\$13.1 million, from \\$13.8 million in the prior year period and adjusted EBITDA decreased to \\$1.4 million compared to \\$1.7 million in the prior year.  The prior year period includes two months of revenues from the Golden Nugget facility which was sold.  On a same store basis, revenues were down \\$0.3 million.  Although business volumes were fairly stable, a lower table games hold percentage was responsible for approximately \\$0.4 million in both the revenue and EBITDA shortfalls. 

Club Fortune revenues were \\$3.3 million and EBITDA was \\$0.1 million.  Ongoing road construction and the normally soft summer had a negative revenue impact.  The company took advantage of these challenges, closing the restaurant for 10 days and one bar for three weeks for remodeling.

South Dakota route revenues decreased to \\$1.9 million compared to \\$2.2 million in the prior year period, and adjusted EBITDA decreased by \\$63,000.  Corporate expenses increased \\$47,000 compared to the prior year. On a consolidated basis, adjusted EBITDA decreased to \\$1.0 million from \\$1.4 million in the prior year quarter.   

“Our Washington operations struggled with a low hold percentage for the quarter but overall business levels remain strong,” said Michael P. Shaunnessy, President and CEO.  “We continue to make progress on integrating Club Fortune and taking advantage of both revenue and cost opportunities to enhance EBITDA.”

The company’s outstanding bank debt was \\$16.5 million as of July 31, 2016, and unrestricted cash on hand was \\$8.8 million. 

In Washington, the November election ballot will include a proposal to increase the state minimum wage to \\$11.00 per hour effective January 1, 2017.  The company expects that passage of this proposal would increase its payroll expense by approximately \\$1.2 million annually.  The company is addressing ways to mitigate the overall financial impact of this potential change. 

Conference Call and Webcast

The company will host a conference call at 4:30 PM ET (1:30 PM PT), today, September 14, 2016 to discuss the financial results and to provide a corporate update.  The call can be accessed live by dialing (888) 599-8693. International callers can access the call by dialing (913) 312-0966. A simultaneous webcast of the call will be available by visiting http://www.nevadagold.com.  

A telephone replay of the conference call will be available after 7:30 PM ET and can be accessed by dialing (877) 870-5176. International callers can access the replay by dialing (858) 384-5517; the pin number is 8987278. The replay will be available through September 21, 2016. The archived webcast will also be available on the company's website at http://ir.nevadagold.com/events.cfm.

(1) Non-GAAP Information
The term "adjusted EBITDA" is used by us in presentations, quarterly earnings calls, and other instances as appropriate.  Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, non-cash goodwill and other long-lived asset impairment charges, write-offs of project development costs, litigation charges, non-cash stock grants, non-cash employee stock purchase plan discounts, and net losses/gains from asset dispositions. Adjusted EBITDA excludes the impact of slot and table games hold percentages compared to the prior period. Adjusted EBITDA is presented because it is a required component of financial ratios reported by us to our lender, and it is also frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties, in addition to and not in lieu of, U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") results to compare to the performance of other companies that also publicize this information.  Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income as an indicator of our operating performance or any other measure of performance derived in accordance with GAAP.

The following table reconciles Adjusted EBITDA to net (loss) income for the three months ended July 31, 2016 and 2015:

Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation to net (loss) income:
     For the three months ended
      July 31, 2016   July 31, 2015 
        
Net (loss) income    \\$ (99,573) \\$ 457,996 
Adjustments:       
Net interest expense and change in swap fair value 217,730   100,108 
Income tax (benefit) expense     (47,988)  277,512 
Depreciation and amortization     776,512   510,794 
Acquisition expenses     113,900   180,120 
Stock options amortization and employee stock purchases 28,675   30,195 
Loss (gain) on sale of assets     8,371     (163,481)
Amortization of deferred rent     12,498   7,911 
Adjusted  EBITDA    \\$ 1,010,125  \\$ 1,351,155 
        

Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We use words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "future," "intend," "plan," and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, our ability to increase income streams, to grow revenue and earnings, and to obtain additional gaming and other projects. These statements are only predictions and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are identified and described in the Company's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Nevada Gold & Casinos
Nevada Gold & Casinos, Inc. (NYSE MKT:UWN) of Las Vegas, Nevada is a developer, owner and operator of nine gaming operations in Washington (wagoldcasinos.com), a local casino in Henderson, Nevada (clubfortune.com) and a slot route operation in Deadwood, South Dakota (dakotaplayersclub.com). For more information, visit www.nevadagold.com.

     
Nevada Gold & Casinos, Inc.     
Consolidated Balance Sheets    
  July 31, April 30,
  2016 2016
     
   (unaudited)   
ASSETS         
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents \\$  8,826,030  \\$  11,583,107 
Restricted cash    1,308,303     1,433,728 
Accounts receivable, net of allowances    1,191,839     665,549 
Prepaid expenses    1,856,917     1,206,825 
Notes receivable, current portion    899,185     208,294 
Inventory and other current assets    414,842     416,022 
Total current assets    14,497,116     15,513,525 
       
Real estate held for sale    750,000     750,000 
Notes receivable, net of current portion     8,400     900,775 
Goodwill    18,025,059     18,025,059 
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization    4,758,387     5,003,981 
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation    15,248,396     15,147,061 
Deferred tax asset    2,396,287     2,348,299 
Other assets    70,000     70,000 
Total assets \\$  55,753,645   \\$  57,758,700  
       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY         
Current liabilities:      
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities \\$1,493,021  \\$1,702,366 
Accrued payroll and related    1,036,438     2,094,250 
Accrued player's club points and progressive jackpots    1,737,245     1,872,566 
Total current liabilities  4,266,704   5,669,182 
Long-term debt    16,231,215     16,839,148 
Other long-term liabilities    944,640     881,426 
Total liabilities  21,442,559   23,389,756 
       
       
Stockholders' equity:      
Common stock, \\$0.12 par value per share; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 18,581,193 and 18,571,693 shares      
  issued and 17,798,356 and 17,788,856 shares outstanding at July 31, 2016, and April 30, 2016, respectively   2,229,752   2,228,612 
Additional paid-in capital  27,356,093   27,315,517 
Retained earnings  11,657,276   11,756,850 
Treasury stock, 782,837 shares at July 31, 2016 and April 30, 2016, respectively, at cost    (6,932,035)    (6,932,035)
Total stockholders' equity  34,311,086   34,368,944 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity \\$55,753,645  \\$57,758,700 
       
 
Nevada Gold & Casinos, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
 
   Three Months Ended
  July 31, July 31,
  2016 2015
Revenues:      
Casino \\$ 16,237,702  \\$ 14,098,696 
Food and beverage   3,301,393    2,443,110 
Other   540,716    452,671 
Gross revenues   20,079,811    16,994,477 
Less promotional allowances     (1,782,833)     (1,051,703)
Net revenues   18,296,978    15,942,774 
 Expenses:       
Casino   9,235,896    7,995,301 
Food and beverage   1,531,837    1,313,369 
Other   73,846    47,999 
Marketing and administrative   5,270,278    4,210,555 
Facility   533,336    493,154 
Corporate   796,733    749,467 
Depreciation and amortization     776,512      510,794 
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets     8,371      (163,481)
Total operating expenses     18,226,809      15,157,158 
Operating income     70,169      785,616 
Non-operating income (expenses):      
Interest income     22,968      25,880 
Interest expense and amortization of loan issue costs     (153,519)     (119,593)
Interest rate swap expense     (36,465)     (17,612)
Change in swap fair value     (50,714)     11,217 
(Loss) income before income tax expense     (147,561)     685,508 
Income tax benefit (expense)     47,988      (227,512)
Net (loss) income \\$   (99,573) \\$   457,996 
Per share information:      
Net (loss) income per common share - basic and diluted \\$   (0.01) \\$   0.03